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Arsenal have announced the departure of defensive duo Carl Jenkinson and Cohen Bramall on season-long loans to Championship side Birmingham City.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had earlier insisted that he will look to trim his first-team squad, and he has allowed the pair to pursue temporary deals at St.Andrew’s.

“Carl Jenkinson and Cohen Bramall have joined Birmingham City on season-long loans,” a statement read on the club’s official website.

The 25-year-old came close to joining to Crystal Palace back in January but a disagreement in contractual terms pulled the plug on the proposed deal.

Since then, the right-back has participated in a friendly involving Arsenal XI vs Boreham Wood last month, and it comes as a surprise that he has been loaned out in the final year of his contract.

Meanwhile, Bramall made his way from non-league Hednesford Town during the winter transfer window, and he has featured under Arsene Wenger during the pre-season tour of Australia and China.

The 21-year-old also made his home debut in the Emirates Cup late last month, and the left-back will get his first taste of competitive league action with Harry Redknapp’s side.

Birmingham only survived in the Championship on the final day of last season, but he will be hoping to push towards the other side of the table with the influence of the Gunners’ pair, who are likely to fill the full-back slots.

Arsenal have signed just two players in Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette during the course of the transfer window, and the prospect of another signing looks bleak unless they cash in on other fringe players including Lucas Perez and Kieran Gibbs.